Automatic seam following device for welding apparatus



Feb. 23, 1954 F. M. DARNER EI'AL 2,670,423

AUTOMATIC SEAM FOLLOWING DEVICE FOR WELDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1951 4 She'ets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Elder/c ll fiarnzr BY W r J. Jefiaef/er Feb. 23, 1954 F. M. DARNER ETAL AUTOMATIC SEAM FOLLOWING DEVICE FOR WELDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1951 4 Sheets-Shaet 2 lart'c 1% Jar/10 Feb. 23, 1954 F. M. DARNER EI'AL 2,670,423

AUTOMATIC SEAM FOLLOWING DEVICE FOR WELDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3- :I 232 272 l 2 II ""7 I I s I I A INVENTOR.S Ira/2n: ll flarner BY Waller 8 Srfiazffer 1954 F. M. DARNER ETAL 2,670

AUTOMATIC ssm FOLLOWING navxca FOR WELDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. '16, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 RAH/a: .M

4770R/VE Y Patented Feb. 23, 1954 AUTOMATIC SEAM FOLLOWING DEVICE FOR WELDING APPARATUS Frederic M. Darner, Shaker Heights, Ohio, and Walter S. Schaefer, East Gadsden, Ala., assignors to Republic Steel Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Application January 16, 1951, Serial No. 206,256

7 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic regulating instrumentalities for seam welding apparatus and more particularly to automatic regulating devices for apparatus utilized in the seam welding of pipe.

The invention is particularly adapted for pipemaking equipment wherein pipe (say 4 inches and upward in diameter) is produced by welding a seam along a longitudinal cleft in a tubular pipe blank which is continuously advanced past the welding means in an axial direction. Such apparatus involves a considerable assembly of cooperating devices for guiding, aligning and steadying the pipe blank during its passage to and through the welding station. The guiding welding are is maintained between the electrodes and the edges of the cleft to produce the desired welded seam. In performing such operation a continuous layer of flux, e. g. loose, finely granular material, is deposited on the pipe blank, in bridging relation to the cleft, as the latter approaches the welding electrodes, so that the electrodes operate beneath the surface of the thick layer or heap of flux, which in turn remains over the seam until the welded portion of the pipe is advanced to a remote locality beyond the chuck.

By reason of the nature of the chuck device and the rollers and other instrumentalities surrounding the pipe blank therein, and also by reason of the employment of a rather wide band of flux covering th cleft and Welded seam dur ing practically the entire travel of the pipe blank through the chuck, it is usually impossible, or for any of these reasons at least difiicult or inconvenient, for an attending operator to observe the line of the cleft or the produced seam as the latter is passing the welding electrodes. While the apparatus may also include means back of the chuck for guiding and aligning the cleft to present it with some accuracy along the path leading to the electrodes, experience has shown that some displacement or wandering of the welding of the cleft line is apt to occur, for example due to slight rotative distortion of the pipe blank from one place to another (such 2 blanks being of the order of 30 feet in length) or by other circumferential displacement of the tubular article about its axis.

Although such positional variations may be relatively small, perhaps no more than a minor fraction of an inch, it is important that the welding electrode or electrodes be strictly aligned with the cleft for completeness and security of the welded seam, i. e. to position it exactly and symmetrically along the cleft.

In our copending application Serial No. 116,762, filed September 20, 1949, means were disclosed for providing an accurate amplified visual indication of the positional relation between the cleft and the welding electrodes, together with means for manually effecting a mutual adjustment therebetW-een. However, the embodiments therein disclosed require the attendance of an operator for the purposes of noting the departure from the predetermined positional relationship and for the further purpose of manually initiating a corrective positional adjustment.

The present invention may be briefly described as automatic regulating apparatus responsive to a departure from a predetermined alignment between the cleft and the welding electrodes for automatically eifecting a corrective mutual adjustment of proper magnitude between the cleft line of the pipe and the welding electrodes, for example, by transverse adjustment of the latter relative to the former.

Accordingly, a chief object of the invention is to afford novel instrumentalities responsive to a departure from a predetermined positional relationship between the cleft line and the welding electrodes for automatically initiating a corrective adjustment to return said elements into the desired predetermined alignment.

Other objects are to afford new and improved automatic regulating means of the character described which are of a rugged nature and appropriate for heavy equipment such as used for manufacturing large diameter pipe.

Another object of this invention is to afford novel and sensitive automatic regulating devices that are responsive to relatively small departures from the predetermined positional relationship between the cleft line and the welding electrodes.

A further object of this invention is to provide automatic indicating devices of the character described that require little or no manual attendance and which dispense with the need for the manual initiation of corrective adjustments.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the following disclosure Fig. 5 is aside elevation of .the embodiment 1 illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 5-45 of Fig. 5; I

Fig. 7 is a schematic simplified perspective view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan View of another alternative embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 8- 9 of Fig. 8.

Referring to Figs. l, 2 and 3, the embodiment of the invention therein illustrated is shown in combination with apparatus through which apipe blank 50, for-example designed to produce; pipe of large diameter (e. g. 20 to 30 inches or so), having a longitudinal cleft i2 is continuouslyadvanced in the direction of its axis (as by means not shown), such apparatus comprising a chuckv device generally designated i l. While the particular: construction of the chuck it forms no part of the present invention and while many details of its structure are omittedfrom the drawings, it will be understood that it includes a multiplicity of sets of ;rollers,.such as lathe sets being dis-'; tributed .circumfer-entially around the passing pipe and each. set including a multiplicity of rollersarrangedin a linear array, 1. e. lengthwise of the pipe blank, so that the latter is held, in compressive relling engagement, at a great many points as it progresses through the chuck. A largeregisterroller l8 may also be provided to bear against the upwardly-disposed cleft, and in bridging relationthereto, as the pipe blank ad. vances into the chuck.

The welding apparatus may include one or more welding electrodes, for example represented by the series of two wire electrodes 26, 22, having their lower ends disposed in close proximity to the cleft line to be welded and arrangedin linear array along such path as shown. The electrodes 20,22 consist-of a suitable welding wire or rod and are adapted to be continuously fed, by means not shown, through sleeves 24, 26 and guide nozzle structures ease toward the weldinglocality.

The ,sniidenozzle structures 28, 30 are mounted on a slide 32 horizontally movable in transverse ways, such-as theway 34, that are in turn carriediby a supporting plate 36 disposed above and at one side of the welding locality. Suitable means are providedfor moving the slide 32 in a direction crosswise of the path of the pipe blank, such means being represented, for example,.by a leadscrew e lcoupled by bevel gears 4i] and 42 to a drive motor 38.

A. layer of suitablev flux 50, say one .or two inches deep, is continuously disposed on the pipe blank,.from a flux supply conduit 52 disposed above the cleft line at a region to the rear of the arc electrode means, in the path of pipe travel. The resulting layer of. solid, finely divided flux material is retaine.d,.e., g. in apath of desired width, by longitudinal shield plates,.such as the shield platev 54. In'consequence the electrodes 20,

a 22 plow continuously, so to speak, through the layer of flux, and the arcs struck between the electrodes and the work, as well as the seam line itself are buried beneath the mass of flux.

As also described in our copending application, SerialNo. 116,762, a seam follower device is provided, including a seam following wheel 60 having a sharp circular edge 62 which slightly, but sufficiently, penetrates the crack, along the top of the pipe blank, constituted by the meeting edges of thel'cleft [2. The wheel 60 is thus designed for positive continuous engagement with thecleft-"as the latter, in essentially closed position, approaches "the chuck. To roll along the cleft' crack in this manner, the wheel St is mounted to turn on a horizontal axis at the end of an arm '5 which extends upwardly in a slanting direction and is pivoted, about a parallel axis, at the'lower end of a lever arm 6%. The arm 64 thereby rocking, as necessary, to accommodate irregularities, variations of level, and'the'like, encounteredby thewheel 60. .A coil spring 6-8 under tension between-the opposite end N3 of the arm 66 and an upper point 12 of the vertical arm urges the wheel 60 downwardand keeps it firmly'engaged in the cleft-crack.

The vertical arm 65 is pivoted at a point 14, intermediate its ends, to swing, about-an. axis parallel to that of the pipe, i. e. to rock crosswise of the latter, on a supporting bracket 16 carried by the heavy end plate i thechuck assembly. The upper andoppositeend .of the. arm 65 is connected py a transverse link .80 to .a short crank-arm 82 carried onastubashaftt 84 which is journalled or pivotally: mounted :on' an upright support. fit secured at ,the-;top .of .the: plate '18. The'shaft B l "alsonarries 1a longupwardly. projecting: handor pointenefirwhichis thus adapted to swing *(crosswise, :above the'pipe). as the shaft 84 is turned; ..In.:consequence of .thetdescribed arrangement of leversandjinkage, any .transverse Il'lOtlOIl'fOf the 'cleftseam following wheel 6!] is transmitted-andamplified into corresponding, larger transverse motion of the upper pointed and Si} of the pointerBB.

A similar hand'or pointer 28 having a like upper pointed 3 33 is pivot-ally mounted, but separate from the pointer 33, on theopposite or forward. side of thesupportiiiL-e. so that they pointer 55 swing. about thgsame horizontal axis Hi2 (parallel to the pipe) as the pointer 38, but independently :of the latter; At a locality shortly above"its pivotal axis i 522, the pointer.

93 is connected by. a long, crank shaped link i9 1 to-an upright bracket 2st carried with the Welding electrodes, the bracket being mounted, "for example, 'onthe'slide 32 which'supports theweldillgielBCtiOd:l'lOZZle" ides It will time be seenthat by virtue of the link connection we pivoted at its code to the bracket we and the pointer minute transverse displacements of the slide 32 and thus of the welding electrodes, are transmitted to the pointer 98 and are thus represented by correspondingly'larger, i. e. amplifled, d splacements of the pointed end its thereof.

While the closely superimposed but upright moving pointers 38 93 afford a continuous visual indication oi the relative'positionsbi i seam cleft iii and the welding means 23 and 22, and are emine effectiv in providing an accurate visual in. cation of the positional relationship between the welding mean and the adcleft, the structure shownalso includes a stationary target or plate disposed behind the pointers E8 and 35 as viewed, from the welding electrodes 20 and 22. More particularly, the target I88 may consist of a vertical plate as shown, carried by ears I I!) from a vertical shield plate II2 which is mounted upright on the end structure 18 of the chuck device. The shield plate I I2 is cut away at the upper portions thereof so as to reveal the ends of the pointers 8 a 98 disposed in front of the plate I68. The latter may carry predetermined indicating graduations thereon for providing an easily observed comparative scale indicative of the degree of displacement of the welding electrodes relative to the cleft line.

The above described portions of the illustrated embodiment of the invention are similar to the structures disclosed in our above identified c0- pending application. Through the above described system of levers and linkages, the positioning of the pointer 88 is thus indicative of the position of the cleft I2 in the advancing pipe blank I8 and the positioning of the pointer 98 is indicative of the location of the welding means. The displacements of particular elements within the above described system of links and levers in response to displacements of the cleft I2 and the welding means are utilized to serve as an error detecting and indicating mechanism for the automatic regulating device forming the subject matter of this embodiment of the invention.

Pivotally mounted on the upper end of the arm 68 in the linkage system for the cleft engaging wheel 68 is a substantially horizontally disposed elongated link I20 terminating in a rack I 22. The link I26 extends across the face of a resistance box I86 and is supported in slidin engagement therewith by suitable brackets I38, which however, do not impede the substantially horizontal movement of the rack $22 in response to rotational displacements of the arm 65. Meshing with the rack I22 and adapted to be rotationally displaced thereby is a sector I24 mounted on one end of a substantially horizontally disposed shaft I28 supported by the box I35. The other end of the shaft I28 supports a slide contactor I28 having its free end positioned in sliding contact with a resistance winding I 33. An indicator arm 132 is mounted on the sector I24 and positioned in front of an indicatin scale I34 on the front plate of the box I36 to provide a visual indication of the position of the slide contactor I 28 on the resistance winding I38.

Through the above described linkage, a transverse displacement of the cleft engaging wheel 60 results in a rotational displacement of the slide contactor 128 on the resistance winding I30 in a direction in accordance with the direction of displacement or" the cleft engaging wheel 68.

The mounting bracket I06 secured to the welding electrode slide 32, in addition to being connected to the pointer 68 through the crank I84 as described above, is connected to a substantially vertically disposed lever arm I42 pivotally mounted near its midpoint on a stub shaft mounted in block I44 which is supported by the end plate 18. To-permit free pivotal movement of said lever arm I42 in response to transverse movement of the electrode slide 32, a stub shaft I0"! secured to the bracket rides in a vertically disposed slot I45 disposed in the lower portion of the lever arm #42. The upper end of the lever arm 142 is pivotally connected to a substantially horizontally disposed elongated link I48 terminating in a rack I58. The link I48 eX' tends across the face of a second resistance-box I and is supported in sliding engagement there with by a suitable bracket I62 which, however, does not impede the substantially horizontal movement of said rack I56 in response to rotational displacements of the lever arm I42. Meshing with the rack I50 and adapted to be rotationally displaced thereby is a sector I52 mounted on one end of a substantially horizontally disposed shaft I54 supported by the box I68. The other end of the shaft I54 supports a slide contactor I56 having its free end positioned in sliding contact with a resistance winding I58. An indicator arm I64 is mounted on the sector I52 and positioned in front of an indicatin scale I66 on the front plate of the box I68 to provide a visual indication of the position of the slide contactor I56 on the resistance winding I58.

Through the above described linkage, a transverse displacement of the electrode slide 32 results in a rotational displacement of the slide contactor I56 on the resistance winding I58 in a direction in accordance with the direction of displacement of the electrode slide 32.

The resistance windings I 30 and I58 are connected in parallel across a suitable source of direct current power such as the generator I68 connected across the terminals I18 with suitable balance rheostats I12 and I14 connected in the lines between said resistance windings. The slide contactors I28 and I56 are electrically connected in series through an intermediate parallel circuit, one line of which includes the rectifier I16, the resistor I86 and the relay energizing coil I84 and the other line of which includes the rectifier I18, the resistor I82 and the relay energizing coil I86. The rectifiers I16, I18 are included in such a manner as to permit unidirectional oppositely directed current flow in each of said lines. The relay energizing coils I84 and I86 are adapted to actuate suitable circuit making and breaking contacts in the circuits identified by the letters A and B which form a part of a motor control unit I88 adapted to start and stop the motor 38 and to control the direction of rotation thereof.

In operation the balance rheostats I12 and I14 are manually adjusted to balance the circuit so that no voltage appears across either of the relay energizing coils I84 and I 86 when the guide wheel 68 is seated in the cleft and'the welding electrodes 20 and 22 are aligned, as by visual observation, with the cleft I2. This is conveniently performed prior to the start of operations by sighting through the exit end of the chuck I4 along the top of a pipe blank (preliminarily brought into the chuck) when there is no flux deposited on the seam and no weld being made. For convenience of adjustment, the shafts of the balance rheostats I12, I14 can be tied together as shown, so that the resistance in one line is increased while that in the other is decreased.

With the welding electrodes 22 placed in the desired predetermined alignment with the cleft engaging wheel 60 and the balance rheostats I12 and I14 adjusted, as described above, the relay energizing coils I84 and I86 will be in a tie-energized condition as no current is flowing in either line of the above described parallel circuit; A transverse displacement of the cleft engaging wheel 68 relative to the welding electrodes 28 and 22 results, through the linkage described above, in a rotational displacement of the slide contactor I28 on the resistance winding I38. The movement of the slide contactor I28 in response to the displacement ofthe cleft engaging the direction of transverse displacement of the cleft engaging wheel til. .For example, if the cleft engaging wheel til is displaced to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, the slide contactor i28 will berotated in a counterclockwise direction. The counterclockwise rotation of the contactor 1'28 will result in making it negative with respect to the potential appearing on the contactor 156. The appearance :of a potential difierence between the :slide contactors 128 and i56 results in a flow of current through either line of the parallel circuit, described above, positioned intermediate the contactors i28, 55, depending upon the polarity of the potential difference. In the example set fonthabove, current will .flow through rectifier Hi3, resistor 452,, and relay energizing coil Hill.

The flow of current through the coil lat will en ergize it and will resultin a closure of the relay contacts in the circuit B. The completion of circuit B results in actuation of a motor starter (of "conventional type; not shown) within the motor control device 5&3 to start the motor 38 rotating in a direction necessary to displace the slide -3.2 mounting the welding electrodes and 22 to theleitas viewed in Fig. 1.

The how ofcurrent through the rectifier 57.8 and the relay energizing coil 86 will continue until the slide contactor IE6 is selectively displaced an amount sufficient to reduce the potential did-creme between the contactors l 28 and 155 to zero which returns the circuit to its balanced condition. That :is to say, the displacement of the welding electrodes 2%, .22 to the left, through the above described selective actuation of the motor-fill results in a counterclockwise rotational displacement of the slide ccntactor l55 On't'he resistance winding 158. The rotational displace merit of the contactor r56 continues until the potential difference between the slide contactors J23 and i at is reduced to zero. When the potential difference becomes zero, the current flow through the rectifier I18 and relay energizing l.

coil 85 ceases. The cessation of current .fiow deenergizes the coil i 86 and opens the circuit B which stops the motor 38 and the system ;i once again balanced with the cleft and welding electrodes in alignment.

"In theexample set forth-above the eilect of a left-ward transverse displacement of thexcleft en gaging wheeled-was described in detail. If the cleft-slog wheel'fic is displaced to the right, as .viev. Fig. 1, the slide contactor F28 is rotated a clockwise direction which makes the cont-actor i225 positive with respect to contactor, 15%. This-potential difference results in a current flow through the rectifier il'cyrcsistor i535 and relay energizing coil 584. The energization of the coil his results in closure of the associated contact points in the circuit A. The completion of circuit A results in actuation of a motor starter (of conventional type, not shown) Within the motor control device 283 to startnictor 38 rotat ing in a direction necessary to displace the slide '32 to the right'as viewed in Fig. l. The displace inent oi the slide 32 to the right results .in a clockwise rotational displacement of the contactor Ht which continues until the potential difference between the slide contacto-rs I28 and its is reduced to zero. when the potential diiierence reaches zero, e, when the electrodes are once again aligned with the cleft, now of current ceases and the relay coil We is ,deenergized, so-asto stop the motor '38, 1

Through the above described control system the register relationship between the cleft engaging wheel 53 and the electrodes 2% and 22 is maintained by displacing the electrodes 28 and 22 through a distance equal to the amount of displacement of the cleft engaging roll 60. The distance of travel of the-slide 32 in response to any given displacement of the cleft engaging wheel 8c is controll d by the ratio rheostat 264 connee-ted in parallel with the resistance winding [53. In practice, the amount of response dis placement of the slide 32 is conveniently-meadi-usted, after initial alignment of the electrodes with the cleft engaging wheel as, by moving the wheel 69 a measured and known distance away from the cleft l2. The movement of the electrode slide 32 in response to this predetermined displacement of the cleft engaging wheel 69 is noted and, if the distances are not equal, the ratio rheostat 2534 is adjusted until the slide moves exactly the e distance as the cleft engaging wheel es. As will now be und rstood, such adjustments of the ratio rheostat efiect a change in the voltage drop across the resistance i238 (and thus in the angular movement of the contactor I555 needed to balance a given potential difierence in the control circuit) by changing the current ilow through the circuit including the ba lancerheostats l'lZ and 25 i. Indeed after any substantial adjustment of the ratio rheostat 204 and conse uent modification of the voltage drops in the balance rheostats, it may be necessary to readiust the latter for. restoration of the proper rel ion between them, .i. e. to maintain the desired positional correspondence, as well as equal.- ity of displacement, between the electrodes and the cleft wheel.

While any of a variety of values may be employed for the several electricalcomponents in 1, i. e. as may be warranted by the actual conditions of power supply, use and the like, one satisfactory example of such a circuit was as follows: the generator its supplied D. C. at 110 volts. The resistors use and 53 were each 100 ohms, as likewise the total resistance of the ratio .rheostat 284, while the full value of each of the balance rheostats was ohms. ll=3--volt selenium rectifiers were used at 1'55, H8, in series with resistances I83, I82 of 5 ohms each, which served to limit the current to the sensitive relays. for protectionoi the latter. Each of the relay coils Hi l, !85 had a resistance of 25 ohms and was adapted to operate, i,. e. to become energized suficiently for a controlling operation of the relay contacts, upon a current of one milliampere.

If desired, time delay relays can be included in-the motor control unitor suitably included in the circuits associated therewith, to continue operation of the motor 38 during the period when the current flow through either of the relay energizing coils I2 5, lit i between zero and the minimum value required for energization thereof. Thus the motor will run for a second or so after the relay contacts open, and wil restore the voltage or" the control circuit to zero; whereas the relays are generally described above as opening their contacts when the voltage becomes zero, they will in practice so operate when the voltage reaches a minimum value near zero. The inclusion of time, delay relays therefore assures a more accurate alignment of the cleft engaging wheel andthe electrodes.

The pointer ends-9i}, tilt of the handset, 3-5

may serve to provide a continuous visual check of the positions of the cleft and arc electrodes relative to each other and to the chuck, but may in some cases be omitted, since a corresponding continuous indication can in effect be obtained by proper comparative observation of the indicator arms I32, i 5 and scales I34, H36 associated with the contactors I28, I56.

To prevent the welding electrodes 20 and 22 from being displaced an excessive amount, e. g. sufficient to contact the flux shields, such as 54, a protecting device limiting the extent of displacement of the slide 32 is included in the apparatus. A pair of limit switches I92 and IE4 are mounted on the plate I8 and are positioned so as to be operated by an arm I96 mounted on and moving together with the electrode slide 32. The limit switches I 52, I94 are, for example, connected in circuit with a relay energizing coil 200 having its contact points incluied in circuit with one D V/er lead of the motor 33 or with a stopping or arresting device (or with a holding circuit for the starting devices) within the motor control unit I88. An indicating device (e. g. a lamp or bell) schematically represented as IE8, which may provide a visual or audible warning, is connected in parallel with the relay energizing coil 200 to provide an attention arresting indication of overrunning of the welding electrodes 29 and 22. If either of the limit switches 592, I94 is actuated to close the circuit, the alarm device 58 operates and the relay 200 is energized to open its normally closed contacts and stop the motor. The above described circuit thus prevents the electrodes 20 and 22 from being displaced beyond predetermined limits and thus prevents electrode damage occasioned by running into adjacent parts such as the flux shields 54 disposed on either side of the weld.

The above described protective system is desirable for most conditions of service, because the cleft engaging wheel 60 occasionally does become squeezed outside of the seam by lapping of the edges of the latter, or by a mismatched end joint between successive pipe blanks, which causes the roller to run outside of the limiting band of welding.

With the specific circuit disclosed in the apparatus of Fig. 1, the mechanical lever system for rotating the slide contactor I56, i. e. lever I42, arm I48 and gearing I5Il--I52, must be such (relative to the system for tuning the contactor I28) that the contactor I55 will rotate appreciably more, for instance nearly 50% more, for a. predetermined displacement of the welding electrodes than is required of the contactor I28 for the same predetermined displacement of the cleft wheel 60. This amplified rotation is necessary because the efiect of the balance and ratio 'rheostats I12, I14 and 204 is to produce a voltage drop which reduces the potential appearing across the resistance winding I58 to less than the potential appearing across the resistance winding I30. Therefore, a larger rotative displacement of slide contactor I56 is required to balance the potential difierence created by displacement of the contactor I28. As indicated above ultimate precision of balance, so that the arc follows exactly every displacement of the cleft wheel 60, is then readily achieved by preliminary adjustment of the ratio rheostat 204.

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate another and hydraulically operable embodiment of .the invention. This embodiment is shown in combination with apparatus through which a pipe blank 2 I Ii having a longitudinal cleft 220 is continuously advanced in the direction of its axis, such apparatus comprising a chuck device generally designated 2I8 and similar in construction to the chuck device it or Figs. 1, 2 and 3. It will be appreciated that in the schematic view of Fig. 7, the dimensions and spacing of various parts and objects have been exaggerated or disproportionately reduced, for clarity.

The welding apparatus may include one or more welding electrodes represented in the drawings as the two wire electrodes 222 and 224 having their lower ends disposed in close proximity to the cleft line to be welded and arranged in a linear array along such path, as shown. The welding electrodes 222 and 222 are supported in suitable guide nozzle structures 228 and 228 which are in turn mounted on a slide 232 horizontally displaceable in transverse ways 232, 233. The slide 230 is connected to the free end of a piston rod 234 horizontally displaceable in both directions by the action of ahydraulically operable cylinder 233.

Positioned within the cleft 22%] is a seam fol lowing wheel 243 having a sharp circular edge 248 which slightly, but suficiently, penetrates the crack along the top of the pipe blank 2I6 constituting the meeting edges of the cleft 220. The wheel 246 is thus designed for positive continuous engagement with the cleft as the latter, in essentially closed position, approaches the chuck 2I8. To roll along and within the cleft in this manner the wheel 243 is mounted to turn on a horizontal axis at the end of a vertically disposed arm 259 which is pivotally mounted at a location above its midlength on a mounting bracket 252 secured to a portion of the chuck device 2I8, the arm 250 thereby rocking about its pivotal mounting in response to transverse displacements of the wheel 246. It will be understood that the wheel can, if desired, be carried by a separate arm and spring like the elements 64, 68 of Fig. 2, so as to permit some freedom of vertical motion.

The upper end of the arm 259 is connected to one end of a transverse link 254. The other end of the transverse link is connected to a vertically disposed link 256 at a location above its midlength. The link 256 is thereby adapted to be pivotally displaced or rocked about its lower end in response to transverse displacements of the link 254. The upper end of the vertical link 256 is connected to one end of a lever arm 280 through an intermediate transverse link 258. The other end of the lever arm 235 is secured to a valve actuating shaft 282 of a hydraulic pump 264 operated by a suitable motor 286. The hydraulic pump 254 is connected by suitable hydraulic lines 268 and 212 to the hydraulic cylinder 236 described above. The lower end of the vertical link 256 is connected to a point on the piston rod 234 by an extended crank 2T2 pivoted in the vicinity of its midlength as at 2'14.

Since the cylinder 236 and the pump 284 with its drive motor 266 may be of conventional construction, details of these devices, including the control valve operated by the shaft 262, are not shown, but their arrangement is conveniently such that when the valve shaft is turned one way, the pump operates to deliver liquid under pressure through one of the conduits 268, 276 while withdrawal of fluid is efiected or permitted through the other, the piston in the cylinder 23% being correspondingly set in motion. Restoring the valve interrupts the drive of the piston. In like fashion, by effecting flow in opposite direcegevonse i 3 tion through the lines 288, 2'30, rotation ofthe valve shaft to and from a reverse position starts andv stops the displacement of the piston in the reverse direction.

A displacement of the cleft 226 to the left, as viewed in the direction of the arrow of Fig. 7 (that also shows the directionof pipe travel) results in a pivoting of the arm 25B clockwise about the supporting bracket 252. The pivotal displacement of the arm 2st, through the linkage including the links 255, 256 and 258, results in a counterclockwise rotational movement of the lever arm 2% and the valve shaft 262, i. e. as seen the same-direction of the arrow of Fig. '7. The counterclockwise displacement of the valve shaft 2 62 actuates a conventional control valve contained within the pump 264 (as explained above) which selectively directsa flow of hydraulic fluid through the line'288 to the cylinder 23%; The actuation of the cylinder 236 by now of hydraulic fluid through the line 263 results in a leftward transverse displacement of said piston rod 23 which displaces the Welding electrodes 222 and 22 5 to the left. The leftward displacement of the piston rod fitsas described above, levers the extended crank H2 about its fulcrum' 2M and pivotally displaces the lowerend of the link 2555 to the right about its pivotal connection with the transverse link 254. This pivotal movement of the link 255 results in a clockwise rotational displacement of the lever arm 260 which correspondingly turns the valve shaft 262 toreturn theinternally disposed valve to its original neutral position. The clockwise rotation of the valve shaft 262 in response to the displacement of the piston rod 234 thus halts the flow of hydraulic fluid to the cylinder 236 through the line after the system has been re-aligned.

If the cleft wheel 24's is moved transversely to the right, as viewed from the direction cf'the arrow of Fig. 7, clockwise rotational displacement of the lever am 289 and the valve shaft 282 results. The clockwise rotational movement of the shaft 262, away from neutral position, actuates the above mentioned valve contained within the pump 284 Which selectively directs the flow of hydraulic fluid through the line 276 to the hydraulicailyoperabl'e cylinder 236. The actuation of the cylinder 236 by the flow of hydraulic fluid through the line 2753 results in a displacement' of the piston rod itfi and the. electrode slide 233 to the right, time. again causing the electrodes to follow the position of the wheel The motion of the piston rod'23'i to the right also levers the Crank 2?? about itspivot'al mountc ing 21's and pivotally displaces the lower end of the link 256 to the left about its pivotal connection with its transverse link 254. This pivotal movement of the link 256 results in a counterclockwise rotational displacement of the lever arm 260 and valve shaft 202 which returns the internally disposed valve to its neutral position and halts the flow of hydraulic fluid in the line 270 after the system has been re-aligned.

A third embodiment of the invention is illus-: trated in Figs. 8 and 9 and may generally be described as an electrical switchingsysteniassociated with and responsive to the movement or indicating pointers such-as the pointers 33 and 93 described above in conjunction with theem bodiment illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. As'therei described, and, as also described in our above identified copending application, a dual pointeri system, i. e. the pointers 8-8 and 98, was provided" 12 tovisu'ally indicateat a singlelocation the relative positional relationship between the cleft and the welding electrodes.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the rear indicating pointer 286, responsive to the position of the cleft and actuated by a suitable cleft-following wheel and linkage as described above in conjunction with Figs. 1, Z and 3flia's a switching member 288- which is pivotally mounted thereon at 290 and has a block- 292 mounted on its u per-end. r The block 92 is sized to project through a rectangular aperture 2% in the front pointer 295, which is dispiaceabl y' responsive to the position of the welding electrodes through a-lver and linkage system as described above in conjunction with Figs. 1. 2 and 3. The block 292 is preferably formed of insulating material and carries separately wired electrical contact points298 and 309 disposed in alignment on the opposite; faces thereof.

The lower end of the switching member 288, i.- e. the portion disposed below the pivotal mounting 290, is provided with a vertical slot 362 encompassing the free upper end of a fiat spring member 385 which has its lower end rigidly mounted in a block 306. The front pointer 2% is provided-with blocks are and 3H] disposed on either side of the aperture 295 and positioned adjacent the faces of the block 292. The blocks 308 and are provide a mountfor the contact tipped screws 322 and 3M positioned in alignment with the previously mentioned contact points 298 and 3% on the block 292. The contact tipped screws M2 and 3H are preferably adjust ably positioned so as to facilitate the maintenance of a predetermined gap between the adjacent electrical contacts when the welding electrodes and the cleft following wheel are positioned in the desired predetermined alignment, i. c. When the pointers 286, 296 are in alignment.

In operation any transverse displacement of the cleft the pipe blank being welded results in an amplified displacement of the rear pointer 286 through the earlier describedlinkage'associated therewith. The displacement of the pointer 236 relative to the pointer 29% (which reoil mains fixed in position during the displacement of the pointer 28%) effects the closure of one set of the above described contact points in accord ance with the direction of displacement of the cleft. The closure of either set or contact points results in the selective energization of either-[of the parallel relay energizing coils 3I6 and 333 which are connected in series with a suitable source of power such as the direct current generator 320. The selective energization of the relay coil 31B or 3i8 results in closure of contact 316a or 3i8a which may be conveniently included in circuit with a motor control unit controlling the starting and direction of rotation of a suitable motor for transversely displacing the welding electrodes; suchas the motor control unit 138 and motor 38' described above conjunction with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

For example, a displacement of the cleft to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 causes closure or the points Silt and 3 4. The closure'of'the' points SW and 3M completes the circuit for the relay energizing' coil 3% and results in the energization of that coil. When the coil 3E6 is energized, a circuit is completed to a motor control unit, such as that described above in conjunction with Figs. 1, 2 and 3, to Selectively initiate rotation of a drive motor fol" displacement Of the lctfod slide to the right. The rightward displacement :of the electrode slide in response to the above described displacement of the cleft results in a rightward displacement of the front pointer 296. The displacement of said pointer 296 continues .until the welding electrodes are realigned with the previously displaced cleft and the contacts 300 and 314 are broken, whereupon the control circuit is deenergized to halt the displacement of the electrodes.

In a similar manner a displacement of the seam to the left will cause the contacts 298 and 3|2 to close, energizing the relay energizing coil 3E8 and selectively operating the slide displacing motor in a direction necessary to move the electrode slide to the left to bring the electrodes into realignment with the previously displaced cleft.

If desired, time delay relays, not shown in the drawings, may be conveniently included in the motor control unit and motor circuits to pro- 4 long the operation of the electrode slide motor, so as to bring the pointers more nearly into exact alignment after each re-positioning of the slide, and to assure a clean break of the contact points.

In operation, it will usually be found undesirable to displace the electrodes too rapidly in response to displacement of the cleft. Unduly rapid movement of the electrodes often results in an objectionably sinuous or snaky looking weld. The speed of the electrode slide drive motor should be suitably controlled, e. g. so as to choose the most desirable and usually rather slow speed of electrode displacement. If for a short period the seam may move at a somewhat faster rate than the described relatively slow rate at which the electrode drive simultaneously endeavors to follow up, the switching member 288 will rock and under the action of the spring 304 will keep the electrical contact points closed (without strain or damage of the mechanism) until the electrodes are once again positioned in their predetermined alignment with the cleft. It will be understood that suitable safety devices, such as the limit switches I92, 194 of Fig. l and the arrangements under their control, may be included in this as well as other forms of the invention, to keep the electrode structure within desired bounds when the cleft wheel deviates excessively.

All of the above described automatic regulating instrumentalities may be of relatively rugged and durable construction, not easily susceptible of damage or of impairment of fidelity of response, and yet will be extremely sensitive in operation. The system is adapted for easy and simple adjustment, and yet at the same time very accurately and reliably serves the desired purpose of providing automatic registration between the welding means and the cleft in the pipe blank.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific apparatus herein illustrated and described, but may be embodied in other forms without departure from its spirit.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus for manufacturing pipe from a tubular blank having a longitudinal cleft, a stationary welding chuck through which said blank is advanced axially, a welding device mounted on said chuck for movement transverse to the path of advancement of the blank and operable when aligned with said cleft to close the cleft by welding a seam along it as the blank advances, reversible motor means for driving said device transversely of said path, a device engaging the cleft as it approaches the welding device, said cleft engaging device being mounted on said chuck and movable transverse ly of the path of advancement of the blank to follow variations in the lateral position of the cleft; a first control element, means connecting said control element to said cleft engaging device for concurrent movement therewith, said connecting means including means for amplifying the movement of said control element proportionally to the transverse movement of the cleft engaging device; a second control element, means connecting said second control element to said welding device for concurrent movement therewith, said last-mentioned connecting means including means for amplifying the movement of said second control element proportionally to the transverse movement of said welding device. said second control element having a normal positional relationship relative to said first control element indicative of alignment of the welding device with the cleft, means operatively cone nected to said control elements and responsive to the relative positions thereof for controlling said motor means, said motor controlling means being effective upon displacement of said first control element from said normal positional relationship to cause operation of said motor means in a, direction to drive said welding device back into alignment with the cleft and thereby to move said second control element to restore said normal positional relationship.

2. In apparatus for manufacturing pipe from a tubular blank having a, longitudinal cleft, a stationary welding chuck through which said blank is advanced axially, a welding device mounted on said chuck for movement transverse to the path of advancement of the blank and operable when aligned with said cleft to close the cleft by welding a seam along it as the blank advances, reversible motor means for driving said device transversely of said path, a device engaging the cleft as it approaches the welding device, said cleft-engaging device being mounted on said chuck and movable transversely of the path of advancement of the blank to follow variations in the lateral position of the cleft; a first lever having an arm operatively connected to said cleft engaging device for movement of the lever concurrently with and proportionally to the transverse movement of the cleft engaging device; a second lever having an arm operatively connected to said welding device for movement of the second lever concurrently with and proportionally to the transverse movement of said welding device, said second lever having 9. normal positional relationship relative to said first lever indicative of alignment of the welding device with the cleft, motor control means connected to said levers at points spaced from the connections of said devices to said levers, said motor control means being responsive to the relative positions of the levers and operatively connected to said motor means, said motor controlling means being effective upon displacement of said first lever from said normal positional relationship to cause operation of said motor means in a direction to move said welding device back into alignment with the cleft and thereby to move said second lever to restore said normal positional relationship.

3. Apparatus for manufacturing pipe as defined in claim 2, in which said motor mean is electrical; and said motor controlling means comprises two movable contacts, means operatively connecting each of said contacts to one of said levers, and electrical circuit means coni5 troileci by said" contacts, and effective to' wer gi'zesaid motor meansaccordance with'the relative positions of said contacts.

4; Apparatus for manufacturing pipe as de fined inclaim 3, including a balance'able electricalnet'work, first and secondvariable impedance means electrically connected irisaid network; and

effective when varied to change the condition of balance of said I network," each of said contacts being;- effectivewhen moved to vary one of said impedance means, said motor meansbeing electrical and said motor controlling means com prisingrielay means-responsive to unbalance of said-i network for energizing said motor means for operationin a: direction dependent upon the sense of unbalance of the-fietvmrK-said motor operation being efiectiv'e to move one of said contacts to rebalance said. network.

5k Apparatus for manufacturing pipe-as de-' fined in claim 4, including variable impedance means connected in said network for adjusting the ratio between acontrolling movement of said cleft engaging device' and-- the responsive movement of saidwelding device by said motor means 6 a Apparatus for manufacturing pipe as defined-in claim 2, including means'ior adjusting said normal positional relationship.

7. Apparatus formaniifacturing pipeas' defined. claim 2, in which said motor: means; is hydraulic; andsaid motor controlling: means comprises conduits for the supply and discharge O'f fluid t6 and from'saidmOtOl means valve means controlling said conduits, and a floating lever operatively connected at spaced pointsto said first and second: levers and to said valve means;

FREDERIC' M. DARNE Rr WALTER S. SCHAEFEE References (lited in the file Of this patent UNI'I "ED STATES" PAIENTS' Number Name liate 1,983,930 Carlsen Dec. IL, 1-934 2,061,671 Reimenschneider Nov. 24, 1936 2,132,960 Montrose-Oster c. Oct. 11', 2,136,695 Laing Nov. 15,- 1938 2,189,399 Lewbers Feb. 6, 19510 2,548,599 Garr v r i c Apr. 10, 1951 

